In the digital age, email has become a central part of our lives. It’s the communication backbone for businesses, organizations, and personal exchanges. But with the convenience of instantaneous messaging also comes the annoyance of unsolicited emails, which can range from mildly irritating spam to potentially dangerous scams. What if you could take control of your inbox, maintaining its sanctity by blocking unwanted or dangerous email addresses? Well, it turns out you can, especially if you’re using Microsoft Outlook. This article is a step-by-step guide on how to block an email address in Outlook on different devices.
Why You Should Block Unwanted Email Addresses
Shady websites, scammers, and spammers can inundate your inbox with emails promising fortunes, dubious lottery wins, and more. These emails can contain malicious codes, which, when accessed, grant hackers a gateway into your computer and personal information. Moreover, such emails can also contain viruses that can crash your system or render it unusable.
So, how do you keep your Outlook account safe? The answer is simple—block those unrecognized email addresses. Let’s dive into how you can do this on various platforms.
Blocking Emails in Outlook on a Windows PC
Time needed: 10 minutes
If you’re working with Outlook on a Windows PC, blocking unrecognized email addresses is a breeze. Follow these steps:
- Open Outlook
Begin by launching Microsoft Outlook on your Windows PC. To do this, you can either search for it using the search bar on the taskbar or navigate through the start menu.
- Access Your Inbox
Once Outlook opens, you’ll land on your email account home screen. From here, navigate to your Inbox by clicking on “Inbox” from the panel on the left.
- Select the Email
In your Inbox, find and click on the email from the sender you wish to block. This will open the email.
- Access Junk Email Options
With the unwanted email open, navigate to the top menu and click on “Home”. In the “Home” ribbon, find and click on the “Junk” option, then select “Junk E-mail Options” from the dropdown menu.
- Navigate to Blocked Senders
In the Junk Email Options dialog box that pops up, click on the “Blocked Senders” tab.
- Add the Email Address to the Blocked Senders List
Click on the “Add” button, which will open a text box. Type or paste in the email address you wish to block, then click “OK”.
- Save Your Changes
After you’ve added the email address to the blocked sender’s list, click “OK” once more in the Junk Email Options dialog box to save your changes.
With that, you’re all set! Future emails from the blocked sender will now bypass your inbox entirely.
Blocking Emails in Outlook on a Mac
Outlook on a Mac is just as straightforward to navigate when it comes to blocking pesky email addresses. Here’s how:
- Open Outlook on your Mac.
- Go to your “Inbox.”
- Select the spam message you want to block.
- On the “Menu Bar,” select “Message.”
- Click on “Junk,” then choose “Block.”
Voila! Outlook will automatically move all future emails from the blocked sender into the “Junk Mail” folder.
Blocking Emails in Outlook on an iPhone
For those who prefer checking emails on the go with their iPhones, blocking spam is a bit different but still feasible. Follow these steps:
- Open the “Mail” app on your iPhone.
- Tap on the name of the sender you want to block.
- Tap “From” next to the sender’s name.
- Choose “Block this Contact.”
- Confirm your choice by tapping “Block this Contact” again.
From now on, your iPhone will move all emails from the blocked sender to the trash folder, keeping your Outlook inbox spam-free.
Blocking Emails in Outlook on an Android Device
Using Outlook on an Android device comes with its nuances—you can’t directly block an email address in the app. But worry not! Here are two workarounds for blocking unwanted email addresses using a desktop, either a Windows PC or a Mac.
Windows PC:
- Open your Outlook account in your web browser.
- Click on the email you consider spam.
- Locate the “Junk” dropdown.
- From the dropdown menu, select the “Block” option.
- Confirm your choice by clicking “OK.”
Mac:
- Open Outlook on your Mac.
- Go to your “Inbox.”
- Select the spam message you want to block.
- On the “Menu Bar,” select “Message.”
- Click on “Junk.”
- Choose “Block Sender.”
No matter which method you choose, the result will be the same—any blocked sender won’t appear in your Outlook inbox when you access it on your Android device.
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Maintaining a Spam-Less Outlook Inbox
Learning how to block unwanted email addresses in Outlook gives you power over your digital communication. No more sifting through junk to find the important stuff. With a cleaner, more secure inbox, you can now focus on what truly matters—answering those crucial client emails, meeting your deadlines, or simply maintaining a clutter-free digital environment.
Remember, your email inbox doesn’t have to be a constant source of stress or security worry. With these steps, you can manage your Outlook communications efficiently and worry-free. For more support visit Outlook’s help desk.
Frequently Asked Questions About Blocking in Outlook
Now that you’re equipped with the know-how to block unwanted email addresses let’s address some common queries that might still be lingering.
Yes, you can. Simply follow these steps:
1. Open Outlook on your web browser.
2. Go to “Settings.”
3. Click “Mail.”
4. Select “Junk Mail.”
5. Here, you can view the list of blocked emails under “Blocked senders and domains.”
Blocked someone by mistake? No worries—you can unblock them in a few steps:
1. Open Outlook on your web browser.
2. Go to “Settings.”
3. Click “Mail.”
4. Select “Junk Mail.”
5. View the list of blocked emails under “Blocked senders and domains.”
6. Click the “Trash Bin” icon in front of the email address you wish to unblock.